Thermally responsive valve apparatus

ABSTRACT

High flow capacity thermally responsive valve apparatus particularly adapted for use in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The valve apparatus has basically three major integral elements which are joined together to provide a relatively low cost structurally strong device.

United States Patent 11 1 Backman 1 5] Jan. 7, 1975 THERMALLY RESPONSIVE VALVE 3,268,109 8/1966 Coppens 29/454 x APPARATUS 3,292,856 12/1966Beatenbough ct a1. 236/34 75 l t w B k W l d M 3,768,731 10/1973Clifford et al. 236/346 1 ac ay FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [73]Asslgnee: standard'Thomsm Corporation 1,917,925 11 1970 Germany 236/34Waltham, Mass.

[22] Filed; Apr, 18, 1973 Primary ExaminerEdward G. Favors Attorney,Agent, or FirmJacox & Meckstroth [21] App]. No.1 352,195

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 236/34 High flow capacity thermallyresponsive valve appara- [51] Int. Cl. F01p 7/16 tus particularlyadapted for use in the cooling system [58] Field of Search 236/34, 34.5,100, 29/454 of an internal combustion engine. The valve apparatus hasbasically three major integral elements which are [56] References Citedjoined together to provide a relatively low cost struc- UNITED STATESPATENTS wrally Strong device- 2,881,616 4/1959 Clifford etal 236/34 X 3Claims, 2 Drawing Figures TI-IERMALLY RESPONSIVE VALVE APPARATUSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous thermally responsive valve deviceshave been created which are specifically for use in the cooling systemof an internal combustion engine. However, most of such devices arerelatively costly to produce, and those which are not costly arefrequently shortlived or are subject to defective operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide thermally responsive valveapparatus which is particularly adapted to control fluid flow in thecooling system of an internal combustion engine, in which the apparatushas relatively high fluid flow capacity in consideration of its physicalsize and in which the apparatus is longlived.

It is another object of this invention to provide such apparatus whichcan be produced at relatively low costs.

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus which isstructurally strong but which is constructed of relatively thinmaterial.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of theinvention, combinations thereof, the method of manufacture, and the modeof operation, as will become more apparent from the followingdescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective viewof thermally responsive valve apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Thermally responsive valveapparatus of this invention comprises primarily three major elements: abridge element 10, a guide element 12, and a closure element 14.

The bridge element has an annular vertical portion and an annularhorizontal portion 22. An annular valve seat portion 23, at the lowerpart of the vertical portion 20, is joined to a plurality of armportions 24 which extend angularly upwardly from the valve seat portion23 and terminate in an annular or apertured abutment portion 26. Theportions 20, 22, 23, 24, and 26 of the bridge element 10 are integraland may be formed from a thin piece of material, such as metallic sheetmaterial or the like, by a progressive stamping operation or the like.

The guide element 12 has an annular horizontal portion 30, an annularvertical portion 32, and a plurality of leg portions 34 which extenddownwardly from the vertical portion 32 and terminate in an annular orapertured guide portion 36. The portions 30, 32, 34, and 36 of the guideelement 12 are integral and may be formed from a thin piece of material,such as metallic sheet material or the like, by a progressive stampingoperation or the like.

The closure element 14 has a closure portion 40 which has a'centrallylocated, downwardly inclined, recess 37 within which is retained athermally responsive actuator member 42 having an actuator stem 44. Thethermally responsive actuator member 42 may be of any suitable type andmay be, for example, of the type which is shown in US. Pat. Nos.2,806,375 and 2,806,376. The lower part of the actuator member 42 ispositioned within the guide portion 36 of the guide element 12. Theactuator stem 44 is preferably threaded and has a nut 46 threadedlyattached thereto.

A helical resilient member or spring 50 encompasses the actuator member42 and the guide portion 36 and engages the leg portions 34 and theclosure portion 40 and urges the closure portion 40 toward the valveseat portion 23 of the bridge element 10. The nut 46 engages theabutment portion 26 and determines the position of the actuator stem 44with respect to the actuator member 42. A part of the nut 46 may extendthrough the annular abutment portion 26 and is preferably attachedthereto. The actuator stem 44 may be threadedly adjusted with respect tothe nut 46 and thus is adjusted in its position with respect to theactuator member 42.

The annular horizontal portion 22 of the bridge element 10 and theannular horizontal portion 30 of the guide element 12 are in engagementone with the other. The vertical portion 20 of the bridge element 10 isshown in engagement with the vertical portion 32 of the guide element12. The annular horizontal portions 22 and 30 and/or the annularvertical portions 20 and 32 are attached together by any suitable means,such as by soldering, welding, brazing, and the like. The annularportions 20, 22, 30 and 32 thus form a structurally strong flangesection which is adapted to be clamped between two members of a fluidconduit, not shown.

As the valve apparatus of this invention is positioned within a fluidconduit, the actuator member 42 is positioned on the upstream sidethereof so that the actuator member 42 is engaged by fluid prior tomovement of the fluid through the valve apparatus. The closure portion40, when positioned as shown in FIG. 2, in engagement with the valveseat portion 23, prevents flow of fluid through the fluid conduit.

When fluid which engages the actuator member 42 rises above apredetermined temperature, there is relative movement between theactuator member 42 and the actuator stem 44. Due to the fact that theactuator stem 44 is retained by the nut 46, the actuator stem 44 doesnot move. Therefore, the actuator member 42 moves downwardly and movestherewith the closure portion 40. Thus, the closure portion 40 movesfrom engagement with the annular valve seat portion 23, and fluid flowis permitted through the opening formed by the annular valve seatportion 23. Such movement of the closure portion 40 is against theforces of the resilient member 50. When the temperature of the fluidengaging the actuator member 42 is reduced below a predetermined value,the resilient member 50 moves the closure portion 40 and the actuatormember 42 upwardly to the position thereof shown in FIG. 2, and thevalve apparatus is again closed.

Thus, it is understood that the thermally responsive valve apparatus ofthis invention may be sturdily constructed of materials havingrelatively thin dimensions. Because the thermally responsive valveapparatus of this invention is constructed of integral elements, thevalve apparatus of this invention can be produced on a large volumebasis at relatively low costs.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, itwill be understood that within the purview of this invention, variouschanges may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement ofparts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generallystated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects setforth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

l. Thermally responsive valve apparatus comprising a one-piece sheetmetal base member including a first cylindrical portion integrallyconnected to a first annular flange portion projecting radiallyoutwardly from said first cylindrical portion, said base member furtherincluding an integral bracket portion projecting downwardly from saidcylindrical portion and defining a lower guide opening aligned axiallywith said first cylindrical portion, a one-piece sheet metal bridgemember including a second cylindrical portion integrally connecting aninwardly disposed annular seat portion to a second annular flangeportion projecting radially outwardly from said second cylindricalportion, said second cylindrical portion of said bridge member having anouter diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of saidfirst cylindrical portion of said base member and in interfittingrelation with said first cylindrical portion surrounding said secondcylindrical por' tion, said second annular flange portion of said bridgemember disposed in overlying adjacent relation on said first annularflange portion of said base member, a closure member disposed withinsaid base member and having a frusto-conical. portion, said closuremember further including an outer peripheral edge portion engaging saidseat portion, and a temperature responsive actuator positioned withinsaid guide opening and connecting said closure member to said bridgemember.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said closure member includesa generally cylindrical inner portion integrally connected to saidfrusto-conical portion by an annular portion which cooperates with saidinner portion and said frusto-conical portion to define an annularcavity facing said bracket portion of said base member.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including weld means for rigidlyconnecting said first flange portion of said base member to said secondflange portion of said

1. Thermally responsive valve apparatus comprising a one-piece sheetmetal base member including a first cylindrical portion integrallyconnected to a first annular flange portion projecting radiallyoutwardly from said first cylindrical portion, said base member furtherincluding an integral bracket portion projecting downwardly from saidcylindrical portion and defining a lower guide opening aligned axiallywith said first cylindrical portion, a one-piece sheet metal bridgemember includinG a second cylindrical portion integrally connecting aninwardly disposed annular seat portion to a second annular flangeportion projecting radially outwardly from said second cylindricalportion, said second cylindrical portion of said bridge member having anouter diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of saidfirst cylindrical portion of said base member and in interfittingrelation with said first cylindrical portion surrounding said secondcylindrical portion, said second annular flange portion of said bridgemember disposed in overlying adjacent relation on said first annularflange portion of said base member, a closure member disposed withinsaid base member and having a frusto-conical portion, said closuremember further including an outer peripheral edge portion engaging saidseat portion, and a temperature responsive actuator positioned withinsaid guide opening and connecting said closure member to said bridgemember.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said closure memberincludes a generally cylindrical inner portion integrally connected tosaid frusto-conical portion by an annular portion which cooperates withsaid inner portion and said frusto-conical portion to define an annularcavity facing said bracket portion of said base member.
 3. Apparatus asdefined in claim 1 including weld means for rigidly connecting saidfirst flange portion of said base member to said second flange portionof said bridge member.